itch.io

v2.30 CHANGELOG

Edits complete through p. 100

Expanded Giant Beetles entry

Fixed Dragons - Mundane Weapons p. 80

Added a Designer Note for Lycanthropes.  The double damage when in/near a woods (absent the presence of Ents) might represent the help of bears or wolves.  Thus there is no need for additional maneuvers, attacks, and defense rolls for those combatants.  Gygax says that the animals brought with double the lycanthrope’s fighting capability.  See CHAINMAIL 2nd ed.

Removed specific direction for location of the fifth Orc tribe off the Outdoor Survival map

Fixed the embarrassing “Lightening” Bolt mispelling

I did have some wondering monsters, but I’ve fixed their daydreaming ways.

Additionally, switched from inhabitation to habitation.  

Midwest Fantasy Wargame is now a Copper Bestseller on DriveThruRPG.  Get it now!  https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/553613/midwest-fantasy-wargame-the-primeval-rpg?affiliate_id=2658330

Midwest Fantasy Wargame BOOKLET 1 has been updated on DriveThruRPG. Some changes:

v2.28 CHANGELOG

Edits complete through p. 66

Clerics get a better boon from positive omens.  A single die can be re-rolled.  For example, on a roll of 3d6, one of the three dies can be re-rolled.  A negative omen has the reverse effect.  

Clarified that Negation is used to dispel spells that have already been cast and are currently in operation.  Counter-spell is to disrupt a spell that is in the process of being cast (same combat round or battlefield turn).

v2.29 CHANGELOG

Edits complete through p. 79

Specified when Free Movement occurs during the Melee Procedure.

Minor wording changes in the combat section for clarity.

Explanation of Attack Value prior to Example 1.

Corrections to Example 2.

Optional berserk monster rules updated with an example

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/553613/midwest-fantasy-wargame-the-primeval-rpg?affiliate_id=2658330

It is not.  But anyone who purchased this on itch should be receiving an email shortly with the updated version.

Updates to Midwest Fantasy Wargame are in progress. Fixing typos and layout issues. Version 2.47 has page numbering on the outside edges of all facing pages. Also we are just 4 paid purchases away from Copper Bestseller. I know it isn’t much, but that would give the game a boost in the algorithm. Also, one of my colleagues is about to kick off a Play by Post game for Midwest Fantasy Wargame in my discord. Join now! You can run a faction as we give this game a spin!  

You are a beast, cranking this stuff out all the time!

Join if you are able!  https://discord.com/events/746800975808823347/1526940066553925874

Game should last about 3 hours.  We need 4 more participants.

I hope I do not regret this. I have set up permissions on my personal Discord. Although it is previously been a private affair, I am now opening it up to anyone who would like to discuss gaming history, old RPGs, wargames, etc. in addition to the games I have authored. You’ll have a temporary membership and must interact with the welcome message to be assigned a role and be granted permanent membership. Good luck and if something doesn’t work, please contact me so I can fix it. https://discord.gg/JqVrQCk7Sf

I hope I do not regret this. I have set up permissions on my personal Discord. Although it is previously been a private affair, I am now opening it up to anyone who would like to discuss gaming history, old RPGs, wargames, etc. in addition to the games I have authored. You’ll have a temporary membership and must interact with the welcome message to be assigned a role and be granted permanent membership. Good luck and if something doesn’t work, please contact me so I can fix it. https://discord.gg/JqVrQCk7Sf

I hope I do not regret this. I have set up permissions on my personal Discord. Although it is previously been a private affair, I am now opening it up to anyone who would like to discuss gaming history, old RPGs, wargames, etc. in addition to the games I have authored. You’ll have a temporary membership and must interact with the welcome message to be assigned a role and be granted permanent membership. Good luck and if something doesn’t work, please contact me so I can fix it. https://discord.gg/JqVrQCk7Sf

I hope I do not regret this. I have set up permissions on my personal Discord. Although it is previously been a private affair, I am now opening it up to anyone who would like to discuss gaming history, old RPGs, wargames, etc. in addition to the games I have authored. You’ll have a temporary membership and must interact with the welcome message to be assigned a role and be granted permanent membership. Good luck and if something doesn’t work, please contact me so I can fix it. https://discord.gg/JqVrQCk7Sf

I hope I do not regret this. I have set up permissions on my personal Discord. Although it is previously been a private affair, I am now opening it up to anyone who would like to discuss gaming history, old RPGs, wargames, etc. in addition to the games I have authored. You’ll have a temporary membership and must interact with the welcome message to be assigned a role and be granted permanent membership. Good luck and if something doesn’t work, please contact me so I can fix it. https://discord.gg/JqVrQCk7Sf

I will hook you up if you hop on our discord.  Sorry I am just now seeing this message.

Glad you like it.  Enjoy!

Midwest Fantasy Wargame's Booklet 9 was the genesis of the entire RPG.  What would happen if we generate a campaign using CHAINMAIL?  Well, if you are tired of dice rolling, fret no more.  There is now an online generator to kick off the initial hexes and factions for your campaign.  Check it out here: https://www.rodneyhamptonpc.com/campaign-creator.html

This is a fantastic survey of the materials we have at our disposal to aid in uncovering the history of early gaming in the Twin Cities and Lake Geneva.  Though these volumes often cover far more ground.  There is a mix of primary sources (interviews, documents, drafts, etc.) and secondary sources amongst this group.  I wish I had them all.  The only one that doesn’t seem to have received mention is the Hawk & Moor series I stumbled into sometime in 2025.  And I look forward to the work being done by Dominic Martyne.  There are many great blogs out there, if you know where to find them.  There are also obscure interviews on youtube or amongst various podcasts that also shine some light in dark places.  Anyway, give Kevbot a follow and check out his other videos on OD&D and early gaming. 

Tune in tonight at 8pm Eastern / 7pm Central for an in depth conversation with Ross (@mythicmountainsrpg) about the lost play techniques from the early days of D&D.  We talk about faction play in Dragons Beyond.

I have taken a first stab at a character generator for Dragons Beyond (vibe coded with Claude). The Thief and Anti-Cleric are missing. Spells and equipment cannot be selected yet, but it's a start. Give it a try and let me know what you think! https://www.rodneyhamptonpc.com/dragons-beyond-character-generator.html

Announcing the Third-Party License for Dragons Beyond. https://www.rodneyhamptonpc.com/third-party-license/

Rumble link https://rumble.com/v75uesg-midwest-fantasy-wargame-character-creation-2-of-3.htm...

Here's the second video wherein I generate a Cleric.

Rumble link too! https://rumble.com/v75tbsw-midwest-fantasy-wargame-character-creation-1-of-3.html

In this video I cover character creation for Midwest Fantasy Wargame: The Primeval RPG (version 2). I will upload a second, shorter video, with another character. In the final video I cover things like encumbrance, movement, the magic system, and the two other optional experience systems.

I have completed my proofreading of the POD version of Midwest Fantasy Wargame: The Primeval RPG. I am happy to report, I literally found hundreds of small errors!!! It's incredible what happens when you wait a few weeks and also read something in print with pencil in hand. Fortunately, none of these errors are going to require renumbering the pages. Inconsistent capitalization, repetitive words, minor grammar changes are all present. A few math mistakes, inconsistent table naming, and other nitpicks are also in play. But on the bright side, the product is as good as I can make it at this time. I'll be revising the digital version and then getting a final proof from Amazon before putting it in the wild.

Flip through video posted to YouTube and Rumble.  Will premier in about 30 minutes.  

I think you're still on a discord with me.  Will PM you the message / link.  Thanks for reaching out!

A flip through of the Amazon print on demand proof of version 2 is now up on YouTube and Rumble:

https://rumble.com/v74zqua-midwest-fantasy-wargame-print-on-demand-flip-through....

Soon! 

Updated: Link sent!  Thanks
Original: Sorry for my delayed response.  Can you shoot me an email? rodney dott hampton att <REDACTED> ?

The link to the FREE file has been sent out to everyone who purchased version 1 via itch.  If you did not receive the email, please let me know.  It came from my personal gmail account and you are on the bcc line.

I have published version 2 of Midwest Fantasy Wargame: The Primeval RPG.  My suspicion is that I will have a much larger audience on that platform.  However, I will look through my mailing list (based on the email associated with your itch account) and get a download file out to everyone who has purchased version 1 on this platform.  If you want to share the new version of the game with friends -- or even kick in another $7.50 for the work cleaning up typos, converting the combat system away from Strategos, and adding the index (a huge slog to create!) -- the link is below--v

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/553613/midwest-fantasy-wargame-the-primeval-rpg?affiliate_id=2658330

If you do not receive an email by Monday evening, please contact me here and I'll get it sorted out.

Thanks for the shoutout.  I look forward to reading this through tonight.  Version 2 of Midwest Fantasy Wargame is almost polished up with the simpler system instead of the Strategos-based approach I tried in version 1.

This is the last day to get Dragons Beyond before the sale ends. 5 bucks! And I put the GM screen on sale too. Get it while you can. Links below.

Dragons Beyond

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/464791/Dragons-Beyond?affiliate_id=2658330

Game Master's Screen

https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/product/470325/Dragons-Beyond-Game-Masters-Screen?affiliate_id=2658330

I'm making both Dragons Beyond and the GM Screen 50% off from tomorrow through New Year in honor of Dragons Beyond getting an advertising slot at the front of Cirsova #25 (a Magazine of Thrilling Adventure and Daring Suspense) https://www.amazon.com/Cirsova-Magazine-Thrilling-Adventure-Suspense-ebook/dp/B0...

Trouble Aboard Station Brown is now free.  It was previously posted for $5.  Any donation is appreciated.  This is a turn-based -stein.  It is possible to run this -stein with more than one group of players.  There are elements the Referee can randomize before playing, though the secret identity of one character cannot be easily changed.  One player from a previous session could re-play the game as this particular character without spoiling the fun.

I have just been made to realize the Leonard Patt (not Pratt) was the author of a medieval fantasy wargame designed to emulate Tolkien.  This is on the long list of errata now.  

Check out this 4 part series on reconstructing the original Blackmoor combat system and where I went wrong with Totten.
https://rhampton.substack.com/p/the-robot-is-the-key
https://rhampton.substack.com/p/a-tale-of-two-characters

After considerable additional research by numerous people during and after Arnecon this year, I am scrapping the idea of using Totten's Strategos as the basis for the combat system for Midwest Fantasy Wargame.  Math nerds will cry.  Normal people will rejoice. 

Also received confirmation that I largely got it right with how Hoyt played the Medieval Fantasy Braunstein at DaveCon. 

"But what will the new combat system be? "  Stay tuned.  I think I have figured it out -- finally.  It's a lot closer to Chainmail than Strategos.  Keep those d6 dice handy!

The premier of a true flip through of Move Out and Draw Fire. The rules for insurgency and counter-insurgency seem very relevant to today. If you'd like to participate in a play through with me, let me know. https://youtu.be/TkJtJP7poDA

Men in Metal is a Copper Best Seller on DriveThruRPG. You can purchase it here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/437767/men-in-metal?affiliate_id=2658330

Kindle eBook https://www.amazon.com/Men-Metal-rules-medieval-miniatures-ebook/dp/B0F5QTWQBV

Print on Demand (POD) version https://www.amazon.com/Men-Metal-rules-medieval-miniatures/dp/B0F5RM23CC

QRS https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/438368/men-in-metal-quick-reference-shee...

Token Sheets https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/439358/men-in-metal-token-sheets?affilia...

Discussion board: https://rhampton.itch.io/men-in-metal